Hilly San Francisco lies at the northern end of the namesake peninsula, on the West Coast of the United States, and includes several gorgeous islands. Home to some of the most iconic buildings and best restaurants in the world, a variety of incredible art galleries and museums, and several enthralling natural areas close by, the city sits high on many travellers’ bucket lists. Must-sees include the city’s fun cable cars, jaw-dropping Golden Gate Bridge, with its spectacular views of the city on one side and nature on the other; historic (and creepy) Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary; and the unique wonderland of Chinatown. From the popular Fisherman’s Wharf, take a boat tour, explore the weird exhibits at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, or simply soak in the photogenic views over the harbour.
Resting on the rugged central coast of California, Monterey boasts a gorgeous beach, a phenomenal coastal route, and a thriving restaurant scene. Go bar hopping and shopping along the Cannery Row, immortalised by novelist John Steinbeck, or taste the area’s excellent seafood and hand-crafted wines at an array of dining options. Enjoy some brilliant waves, whale watching and idyllic sunbathing opportunities at Carmel Beach, or play a few rounds of golf at some of the pristine, sprawling 18-hole golf courses among the professionals. Discover the heritage of the area by visiting the iconic Carmel Mission, one of the most renowned missions in the county, and the Fort Ord National Monument. Take Highway One and the 17-Mile-Drive to see exquisite cypress forests, artichoke fields, rocky shoreline and sandy beaches.
El Portal is located in Mariposa County in central California and makes an outstanding base for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore this magnificent area of the state. Found on the Merced River, El Portal offers affordable lodgings and plenty of nearby activities in the Merced River Canyon, from the Hite Cove Trail – one of the best wildflower walking trails in California – to whitewater rafting, rappelling and fishing. Those visiting in late spring will be treated to the famous flowering of the California poppies throughout the valley. However, El Portal’s chief drawcard is the fact that it is located just 20 minutes away from Yosemite National Park. This breathtaking wilderness area, home to thunderous waterfalls, ancient forests and diverse wildlife, is one of the premier tourist areas of the United States.
Straddling eastern California and Nevada, the Death Valley National Park stretches between the arid Great Basin Desert and the Mojave Desert in the United States. This International Biosphere Reserve is the hottest and driest part of the North American continent and is home to many species of plants and animals that have adapted to this harsh desert environment, such as the creosote bush, coyote, and the Death Valley pupfish. The park’s main attractions include the Titus Canyon, with a ghost town and colourful striped hills; Badwater Basin, salt flats believed to be the lowest point on the continent; and Zabriskie point, the most famous viewpoint in the park and the start of a number of scenic hiking trails.
Las Vegas is a glitzy, world-renowned casino hub situated in the state of Nevada, at the heart of the Mojave Desert. Officially known as the City of Las Vegas, America’s fastest-growing metropolis is infamous for its mega-resorts and over-the-top atmosphere, with a club scene that rivals Ibiza, extravagant shows that give Broadway a run for its money, and a huge variety of restaurants that could easily make a trip here all about eating. ‘The Strip’, the city’s ‘Sin City epicentre’ is the best place to start an exploration, filled with models of famous landmarks like the Sphinx, Eiffel Tower, and Statue of Liberty. Other adrenaline-inducing highlights include the Viva Vision light show at the Fremont Street Experience, the creepy Mob Museum, and the magnificent High Roller at The LINQ.
Located in Garfield County in southwestern Utah, the small town of Bryce Canyon City serves as a popular base for travellers exploring the incredible scenic attractions of the Grand Circle - Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Zion National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Grand Canyon National Park. This charming company town consists solely of Ruby’s Inn and the Syrett family, its third-generation owners. Even though the town is home to only 195 permanent residents, it hosts thousands of visitors each year. The town organises several major events including the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival, Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo and the Bryce Canyon Rim Run and Walk. Ruby’s Inn offers lodging, restaurants, activities such as horse riding, and easy access to Bryce Canyon National Park via a free shuttle.
Located in southwestern Utah, Zion National Park is an impressive nature reserve characterised by Zion Canyon’s steep red cliffs. The park’s unique geography allows for unusual plant and animal diversity including 289 species of birds, 75 species of mammals, and 32 species of reptiles. Visitors can look forward to exploring Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which leads to forest trails along the beautiful Virgin River. This river flows to the Emerald Pools, which feature spectacular waterfalls and a lovely hanging garden. Also along the river, partly through deep chasms, runs the Zion Narrows, one of the world's best slot canyon hikes. This adventurous route involves a fair amount of wading and swimming in addition to hiking. Other popular outdoor activities on offer include kayaking, bird watching, and visiting the historic Zion National Park lodge, built in 1924.
An oasis of bustling activity in a vast expanse of desert, Moab in southern Utah is a prime adventure hub. Use the town as a base camp to freshen up after day trips to Arches or Canyonlands National Parks – you’ll find plenty of late-night shopping. Over the summer, the area fills up with 4x4 enthusiasts eager to join the annual Moab Jeep Safari, mountain bikers lured by the extensive trails in the area, and other fans of rugged living. Thrill-seekers can go rock climbing, white-water rafting in Westwater Canyon, or kayaking, hiking and backpacking. (Visitors are encouraged to use existing trails to preserve the desert lands.) For a more laid-back experience, pop into Hole ’n the Rock, or take in the surprise offerings at the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage.
Page is the gateway to Lake Powell and the mammoth Glen Canyon Dam that forms it. With boat trips, water sports, horseback riding, and enough hiking trails to keep visitors busy for days, an outdoor paradise awaits. Take a relaxing boat trip on the lake to see the Rainbow Bridge National Monument, the largest natural bridge in the world. A 10-minute drive from town is the iconic Horseshoe Bend Observation Area, with its mesmerising views the canyon river making a dramatic turn around a mass of red sandstone. For something adventurous, explore the surreal, sculpted landscapes of the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. And to get away from the crowds, secure a permit from the Navajo office and head off the beaten trail to the impressive ‘Waterholes Canyon’, or hike with a Navajo guide to the ‘Cathedral Canyon’.
Williams, Arizona, on the famous Route 66, is a town often referred to as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon." The town has maintained its Wild West roots with historic landmarks dating back to the early 1900s, including the famous Williams Depot, which was built in 1908 and now serves as a visitor centre and train station. Visitors can ride on the Grand Canyon Railway, which departs from the historic train station and goes on a scenic journey through the pine forests of northern Arizona to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Williams also offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries, all with a Western flair. The town hosts various events throughout the year, including the Route 66 Car Show, the Rodeo on the Fourth of July, and the Polar Express train ride during the holiday season.
Set on the banks of scenic Lake Havasu, this attractive planned city in the Arizona desert is best known as the unlikely home of the original London Bridge, which was bought by the city’s developer in a successful attempt to increase tourism in the area. Surrounding the bridge is the London Bridge Resort Village, a British-themed tourist area where visitors can experience a taste of European culture in the heart of the American Southwest. Aside from this rather bizarre attraction, the city’s main draw is the lake itself, an ideal environment for a variety of watersports including water skiing, power boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing and sailing. Other must-see attractions include the Cattail Cove State Park, the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, the Lake Havasu Museum of History and the Lake Havasu State Park.
De beroemde badplaats Palm Springs, gelegen in de prachtige Coachella Valley, biedt een oase van glitter en glamour in de Californische woestijn. Bezoekers en parttime bewoners, waaronder beroemdheden en het gebruikelijke A-lijstpubliek, komen elk jaar om te genieten van de indrukwekkende golfbanen en om de luxe galerijen en exclusieve boetieks te bekijken. Breng uw dagen door met verwondering over de prachtige moderne architectuur uit het midden van de eeuw; een aantal urban-chique hedendaagse kunstwerken bekijken in het Backstreet Arts District van Palm Springs; of het verkennen van de talrijke paden van de opmerkelijke Indian Canyons.
Los Angeles, gelegen aan de Pacifische kust in een stroomgebied van Zuid-Californië, is de op een na grootste stad in de Verenigde Staten en de entertainmenthoofdstad van het land. De uitgestrekte metropool bruist van filmsterren, muzikanten, surfers en tal van glamoureuze actie op de A-lijst, en staat bekend om zijn culturele diversiteit en het mediterrane klimaat. De stad bestaat uit een aantal enorm verschillende buurten, waaronder de legendarische hotspot voor beroemdheden van Hollywood, de uitnodigende stranden van Santa Monica en Malibu en de verborgen juweeltjes van Koreatown en Little Tokyo. Topattracties zijn onder meer de Warner Bros Studio, de Hollywood Bowl en het Petersen Automotive Museum. Zoek een filmster, drink een cocktail in een rooftopbar, trek een paar designerschoenen aan in een ultraluxe boetiek in Beverly Hills of dans de hele nacht door in een met sterren gevulde club.
Situated in the state of California, Hollywood is one of Los Angeles’ largest and most vibrant neighbourhoods. No trip to LA would be complete without popping in to ‘Tinseltown’, the birthplace of the American film industry and the self-proclaimed entertainment capital of the world. Millions of tourists flock here every year to see the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’, a two and a half mile stretch of pavement embedded with large metal stars honouring everyone who is anyone in the show biz world. Other popular attractions include the 50-foot 'Hollywood Sign' which presides over the area high up in the Hollywood Hills. Don’t miss the lively arts and culture hub of Downtown Hollywood where you will find impressive murals, art instalments, galleries and the unusual ArtsPark, which hosts weekly activities for families, foodies, and art enthusiasts.
Beverly Hills is an extremely upmarket enclaved city in Southern California, surrounded by the greater metropolitan area of Los Angeles. Known as ‘The Playground of the Stars’ due to its unparalleled high-end shopping on the famed Rodeo Drive ‘Walk of Style’ and the slew of uber-luxurious mansions dotting the hillsides home to a collection of A-list residents. Popular tourist attractions include the Beverly Hills Gardens, an extensive public park offering walking trails, public art, and the famous Beverly Hills sign; the Spanish colonial style Beverly Hills Civic Center; and the iconic Beverly Wilshire Hotel. With its streets lined with exclusive boutiques and world-renowned restaurants, Beverly Hills is the ultimate destination for those eager to star-gaze and get in on the exceptionally glamourous celebrity lifestyle of Hollywood’s elite.
Washington DC ligt aan de oostelijke oever van de Potomac-rivier, waar het Virginia ontmoet. Prachtig uitzicht op het water, talrijke weelderige parken en talloze historische gebouwen - de hoofdstad loopt over van bezienswaardigheden en activiteiten. Het iconische Witte Huis, het congres en andere indrukwekkende politieke locaties trekken veel bezoekers, terwijl beroemde locaties en galerieën voor livemuziek verspreid zijn over eclectische, sfeervolle buurten. Een bloeiende culinaire scene met een scala aan stijlen lonkt naar fijnproevers, terwijl spectaculaire musea inzicht bieden in een enorm scala aan onderwerpen (hoogtepunten zijn onder meer het National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History en Freer- Sackler-musea voor Aziatische kunst - die allemaal gratis toegang verlenen). Ga naar het Adams Morgan-gebied voor het nachtleven, of als klassieke muziek meer jouw ding is, ga dan naar het beroemde John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Philadelphia staat bekend als de geboorteplaats van de Amerikaanse grondwet en is de grootste stad van Pennsylvania en de eerste stad die in de Verenigde Staten de status Werelderfgoed heeft gekregen. Deze historische stad staat bekend om zijn rijke geschiedenis met belangrijke historische monumenten zoals de Liberty Bell, vele Amerikaanse revolutionaire locaties en de Independence Hall - de locatie waar de Onafhankelijkheidsverklaring en de Grondwet werden ondertekend. Naast de indrukwekkende koloniale architectuur en het gevestigde erfgoed, biedt Philadelphia muziek en kunst van wereldklasse, levendige buurten, uitstekende restaurants en een bruisend nachtleven. Deze charmante stad biedt statige pleinen, geplaveide straatjes en een assortiment aan interessante musea. De moderne metropool is geweldig voor sightseeing en heeft genoeg te ontdekken met een veelvoud aan culinaire aanbiedingen.
New York City wordt algemeen beschouwd als het hart van de VS, van de wolkenkrabbers van Wall Street tot het neonlicht van Times Square en de lommerrijke paden van Central Park. Het pulseert met levendige energie gedurende de dag en is magisch 's nachts. Van ongelooflijke kunstgalerijen en musea tot enkele van de beste restaurants en meest iconische gebouwen ter wereld, de levendige culturele scene van de Big Apple zorgt voor een ongeëvenaarde ervaring voor bezoekers. Er is zoveel te zien en te doen dat het onmogelijk is om alle culturele hoogtepunten in één reis te behandelen. Bezoekers met beperkte tijd moeten naar de belangrijkste attracties gaan: het Vrijheidsbeeld, MoMa en het Empire State Building, terwijl degenen met meer tijd de minder bekende buurten en afgelegen groene ruimten van de stad kunnen gaan verkennen. Het maakt niet uit hoe je ervoor kiest om je tijd door te brengen en hoe hoog je verwachtingen ook zijn, New York zal gegarandeerd zelfs de hoogste verwachtingen overtreffen.
